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2.04.2013

Master Bedroom {Before & After}

Y’all have no idea how thrilled I am to have finally, after almost four years, wrapped up the master bedroom. I’ve had all of the furniture and decor for well over a year but some sort of a decorating paralysis always seemed to set it when I’d pull out the paint chips and consider actually hanging things on the wall. So, I started 2013 with a short term goal of finally finishing the room by the end of January. And here she is…

The before was just way too dark and dreary for my taste. I wanted a master where the light would flood in and the colors were muted and serene.

So we painted the walls and trim, removed the ceiling fan of helicopter-ic proportions, and put in hardwood floors to match the rest of the house.

(Ya’ll do me a favor and pretend like you don’t see that gorgeous navy blue tub peeking out of the bathroom. M-kay? Thanks, gals!)

The bed was one of our first splurges as newlyweds! (From Macy’s) The blue and white bedding was a huge dual-income-no-kids splurge ten years ago from Yves Delorme. It is luxurious and still in pristine condition so I’m SO glad I got it when I did. I have no idea what the pattern is. The linen box shams and waterfall spread are Legacy Essex from Horchow. Have had them for about four years now and do love them. They have worn well and wash well but if you are super picky you will probably want to press the spread after washing. Sometimes I do…usually I don’t. I made the drapes out of the matching by-the-yard fabric from Horchow. It had a strange “warp” (according to Mother) and was terribly hard to sew with. I would NOT recommend it. I had Number Four Eleven monogram the cream sham in my custom monogram. They always, always, always do splendid work. The three prints above the bed are from Ballard Designs probably seven years ago. I have seen similar prints at Art.com.

My antique gate-leg bedside table was purchased from an antique store (can’t recall which one) a long while back. The mercury glass lamps were from Pottery Barn (no longer available) and their linen drum shades came from Target. The shell curiosities were from Ballard Designs.

Lest you think everything is picture perfect, here’s a shot of Honey’s bedside table. This is after I cleaned it up. :-) His table was also from an antique store.

This is my favorite chair of all time and has really come a long way from her original state. (See all of the before and after details here.) She lived an ugly life in the corner of our master bedroom for ten years before stepping out in this new do. The body fabric is Tonga Snow Matelasse by Waverly and the double welting is done in extra yardage ordered from Horchow to match the bedding and drapes. The bolster pillow is from the same collection. Of course, the piece de resistance would be my custom monogram from Savannah’s Number Four Eleven (store / blog). One word – swoon.

These custom Sugarboo Designs (local to Atlanta) frames once lived in my den, but found a new home here in the master when Honey gave me the Bellamy painting I’d been coveting for years on our tenth anniversary. They technically belong to the littles, as they were two of their “forever gifts” from a few years back. Believe me when I say that they aren’t the least bit upset that I’ve usurped them for our bedroom.

The little wall on the other side of the bathroom door is finally sporting the Suzanne Kasler brackets and vintage oyster plates I’ve had tucked away in the bowels of my closet since we moved in almost four years ago. How sad is that?!?! It makes me smile every time they catch my eye!

Our necessarily gigantic dresser sits across from the bed. It looks rather red in this photo, but matches the bed in reality. I’m toying with painting it but can’t commit to that just yet.

The gorgeous diptych oil paintings are by family friend and local artist Mary Pratt. They are everything I ever dreamed of in the way of art for this space. She is incredibly talented and a lovely lady to boot. And would you have guessed that a flat screen TV is hiding behind all of that gorgeousness?!?!?

Honey built this custom cabinet and blogged about all the details here. The bundle of driftwood was purchased at Pizitz Home and Cottage in Seaside two years ago. Much like the rest of the goodies in this room, it was finally rescued from my closet!

After a three year hunt for the perfect piece to sit between the windows in our bedroom, Honey got me this gorg antique china cabinet for my birthday back in March. Honey painted the inside in the new wall color – Benjamin Moore Pale Oak. I stocked it with a barnacle from Home Goods, a wavy coral from Pottery Barn, a marsh painting by local artist Adam Houston (that I procured for $20 and have had in my closet for twenty-two sad months), stacks of books covered in kraft paper (Dollar Tree) and a few stunning oyster plates in porcelain white from Alison Evans. See all the details here.

At the entry to the master closet, I have a sweet little dressing table. See all the details here!

Now, the elephant in the room is obvi our lovely master bathroom. New since its debut on the blog is the assorted and impressive array of Lego Star Wars and Avengers stickers, thanks to the littles. Don’t be jealous y’all… Now that the bedroom is done it makes me want a door on the bathroom more than ever. All things in time…

I can’t hardly leave y’all with such ugly images burned on your brain, so here’s one last look at the place we rest our heads at night. I love it!

Now, envision me lying there “nuggling” the baby in your mind’s eye cause that’s precisely how I plan to spend at least the next thirty minutes…
xoxo

Beautiful!! I love all the colors, so serene and calming. I am thinking of painting the inside of my secretary or at least getting board and covering it in a lighter material and "lining" the shelves. It would show off my treasures much better!!

hi amanda. i am so happy to be following your blog.love the room! not that you need suggestions, but yes, i would paint the dresser. it would continue the "serene" mode / feeling in the room, leaving only the door as a " dark wood accent." then again, i love painted furniture. also, maybe hang something above the armoire. not a dust catcher ( flowers) but maybe more plates from alison. clean and serene. love , love the 'painting cabinet" hiding the tv. ingenious. xo

I've been following your blog for a while and you have inspired me to start getting some "real art." Do you have any suggestions on where to start looking for real art? How about for reasonable prices? (noticed you mentioned a $20 piece here) Have you ever bought something and then decided you didn't like it anymore? That's what I worry about when dropping so much on a fine art piece.

Betsy - I have just started purchasing real art in the last couple of years and so far I still adore every single piece. Etsy is a great place to start. That's where I found the little coastal oil paintings for $20 each. I also have a set of four oyster paintings from Scott Antique Market. That's another great place to find pretty, real art that doesn't break the bank. I plan to hang them up REAL soon seeing as I have had them for two years come March.

Amanda, I love this room exactly as it is! Except for adding a door to the bathroom, which is a nice thing no matter what is on the other side. Painted furniture is so pretty, I understand why you are tempted. Perhaps you could drape a sheet or drop cloth or some big swatch of fabric over the dresser to see if it changes the balance with the other wood tones in the room? I think you have the balance just right, at least in pictures. Blogless Peggy, turtlemss@aol.com

So beautiful! I always love seeing your home as you have so many treasures with wonderful memories attached. I think that's what makes a house a "home". Love the paint color and the lamps are calling my name. :)

Ah I love it! Love the bedding and your gorgeous monograms!! It looks so cozy. This gives me hope. My master is a disaster (that rhymes). But really, it is taking me forever to make decisions. Yours looks amazing!

Beautiful! Love to see the transformation. So inspiring. We have brown oak trim throughout our house. I am really wanting to paint them and I use your pictures to help convince my husband :) Wondering - did you leave your doors brown?

OMG! i feel like i am looking at an interior design magazine! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!! now can you decorate my house?!? i'd hire you in a heartbeat!! haha! seriously, SO gorgeous. i just ADORE your taste and style! so classy, elegant, timeless and peaceful! i love it! i want my room like that! Xoxox

Oooh - it is absolutely gorgeous! You did a wonderful, wonderful job. May I ask how tall your light fixture is (not including the chain)? I'm asking because I have an oversize faux bamboo fixture that I'm afraid to use in a bedroom that I'm redoing that has 8' ceilings. Featuring this on my blog's Facebook page today.

What a beautiful job you have done. The room is wonderful. Love that bedding. We just did our bedroom and I love it. It is peaceful and wonderful to sleep in.Great post. and great blog!Blessings,Debbie

I am in love with you blog! Furthermore, I would be delighted if you would send me more info. on how you had the monogram done and what style you chose. I love that but have narrowed it down to 3 from the ones depicted on the site. Thanks muchly!

Absolutely gorgeous. I love your master and the chair is one of my favorites from your home as well. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.

I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now ;)

I was searching for decorating inspiration for my master bedroom and came across yours. It's beautiful! I can't believe that I have the EXACT same bed and dresser as you do in our guest room. Great minds thing alike - right???